Quick guide
The short answer
An update tracker brings your app versions and update history into one place. It should show where an update comes from, whether it installed, and whether a backup is available. Finding an update is not the same as installing it.
What a useful tracker shows
- The version you have and the newer version found.
- Where the update comes from, such as the App Store or Homebrew.
- The update result, including errors that need attention.
- Release notes and any backup saved before the update.
Knowing the source helps you choose the right updater. An App Store app should not be treated like an app downloaded from a website.
Why keep an update history?
If an app stops working well, you need to know what changed. Its history can show when the update ran, which version it installed, and whether anything failed.
A saved backup can give you an older copy to try. It does not guarantee that older copy can read your current files. See what an app backup protects.
No update list covers every source on its own
| Update tool | What it checks |
|---|---|
| App Store | Apps installed from the store |
| Homebrew | Casks and command-line software it manages |
| An app's built-in updater | That app's own releases |
| A developer's update tool | That developer's apps |
| A developer website | Releases you check manually |
A tracker can bring these results together. It should still show which updater each app needs.
Where to look in macCurrent
- Select an app to see its versions, update source, recent activity, and backups.
- Open Help > Recent Activity to see checks, downloads, installs, and failures across apps.
- Use File > Copy Inventory Summary for a summary you can keep in notes or a support request.
Recent Activity stays on your Mac. You can copy, save, or clear it. The inventory summary includes app totals, check times, update statuses, and sources.
A simple weekly check
- Run Check for Updates, or check that a scheduled scan finished.
- Review available updates and read the notes for important apps.
- Look for failed updates that still need attention.
- Check backups before replacing apps directly.
- Revisit ignored apps and updates you may now want to install.
macCurrent supports checks at launch, manually, daily, weekly, monthly, or on a custom schedule. A missed scheduled check stays due until it can run.
Available for Apple silicon and Intel Macs on macOS 15 or later. Follow the installation steps to try it with your own apps.
Frequently asked questions
Does tracking an update mean it installed?
No. A tracker may find an update without installing it. Check the saved install result and the app's version afterward.
Where is macCurrent's update history?
Select an app for its own activity and backups. Help > Recent Activity shows checks, downloads, installs, and failures across apps.
Can I copy a summary of my apps?
Yes. Choose File > Copy Inventory Summary. It includes app counts, update statuses, sources, and check times.
How often should I check?
A weekly review is a useful starting point. Review security fixes sooner when needed, and choose a schedule that fits your work.